Wahoo has announced updates to its Tickr and Tickr X series of heart rate monitors, with the new designs improving existing models and adding several useful new features.

The original Tickr has been highly praised by the Cycling News technical team, so the new models, which are touted as improvements, are expected to be even more popular with riders.

The monitor itself, like its predecessor, dives into the chest band, but is more integrated, forming a flat panel that adheres more closely to the body. The unit itself has also been slimmed down to 12.01 mm, improving comfort even under tight-fitting clothing. The weight has also been reduced, to 48g with pod and strap. The module's display light has also been moved from the front to the top, making it easier to see when the Tickr is connected and recording.

Despite the slimmer profile, Wahoo has managed to increase the power and functionality of the Tickr and Tickr X. Battery life has been improved by approximately 50%, allowing for 500 hours of use on a single battery. In addition, the Tickr series can store three devices, which is useful when you have multiple hobbies and recording methods.

The Tickr X has an additional 50 hours of on-board memory that can be used without a device and an accelerometer to track body movements; Wahoo was able to use these sensors to track body movements during exercise and bring additional analytical data. For cyclists who cycle indoors, the Tickr X can also be paired with the Wahoo app to measure cadence.

The Tickr X can also analyze running form using stride cadence, vertical oscillation, and ground contact time as indicators. The treadmill function uses this same data to determine distance and pace while running indoors.

Wahoo offers a variety of colorways, from brand new blue and white to new stealth colors. The new Tickr Stealth variant is also available as part of the Elemnt Roam and Elemnt Bolt Stealth Edition bundles.

Priced at £39.99 for the new Tickr and £64.99 for the Tickr X, they will be available starting May 7. Both are also available bundled with Wahoo GPS devices, with the Elemnt Roam bundle (MSRP £359.99) available on May 8 and the Elemnt Bolt Stealth Edition bundle (MSRP £244.99) on May 15.